Hand held cleaning device and method of advertising at an entertainment event

ABSTRACT

During a televised entertainment event, a handheld cleaning device is used to wipe a stage or other planar surface to remove liquid there from. The device has an exterior displaying a visual advertisement, and the act of wiping the planar surface is televised, including the advertisement displayed on the device. This promotes over television the product or service in the advertisement.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is a PCT application based on U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/402,215, entitled “Hand held Cleaning Device & Method of Advertising At An Entertainment Event,” filed Aug. 9, 2002. This related application is incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this application. If any conflict arises between the disclosure of the invention in this PCT application and that in the related provisional application, the disclosure in this PCT application shall govern. Moreover, the inventor incorporates herein by reference any and all U.S. patents, U.S. patent applications, and other documents cited or referred to in this application or cited or referred to in the U.S. patents and U.S. patent applications incorporated herein by reference.

DEFINITIONS

The words “comprising,” “having,” and “including,” and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The use of handheld cleaning devices to clean planar surfaces is well known. In sporting events, particularly basketball, it is necessary to wipe periodically sweat from the basketball court during the game. Currently, a cleaning device is used having a rectangular head with towels wrapped around the head and the head rigidly connected to the end of an elongated handle. These cleaning devices are relatively large, heavy and awkward to use. These devices are used to clean planar surfaces for many sporting and entertainment events in addition to basketball, for example, volleyball, boxing, wrestling, plays, stage performances, and other indoor/outdoor activities that utilize a planar surface. The device is used to clean-up sweat, water and other moistures and liquids. Any residue remaining on the floor could spell disaster for the athletes, performers, etc.

The towels on these devices are not easily replaceable and are used multiple times tending to push liquid around on a surface rather than absorbing the liquid. Although these devices are effective in cleaning some of the liquid from the surface, an undesirable amount of liquid may remain on the surface after being cleaned. During an event, the user of the device must be able quickly wipe-up any liquid and retreat so as not to interfere with the event. This requires that the device be lightweight, effectively remove moisture or other liquid, and is easy to use in the least amount of time.

Contemporary cleaning devices also fail to capitalize on the potential advertisement opportunity inherent in commercialized entertainment events.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

This invention has one or more features as discussed subsequently herein. After reading the following section entitled “DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THIS INVENTION,” one will understand how the features of this invention provide its benefits. The benefits of this invention include, but are not limited to: quickly cleaning a basketball court, stage or other surface on which an entertainment event takes places, advertising while cleaning the surface, and conveniently replacing a used absorbent pad as needed.

Without limiting the scope of this invention as expressed by the claims that follow, some, but not necessarily all, of its features are:

One, this invention includes a handheld cleaning device comprising a cleaning head having an underside and a topside bearing an visual advertisement exposed for viewing. The advertisement may be on a removable cover member that overlies the topside of the cleaning head and the cover member may cover substantially the entire topside of the cleaning head. The visual advertisement may be for a team participating a sporting event such as, for example, basketball, volleyball, roller skate hockey, a roller derby, badminton, boxing, and wrestling. The visual advertisement may be for a sponsor of the sporting event.

Two, the underside and topside of the cleaning head may be substantially planar and an absorbent wiping member may be detachably connected to the underside of the cleaning head. Typically, the wiping member covers substantially the entire planar underside of the cleaning head. It may be a liquid absorbent pad having substantially the same shape as the cleaning head. The liquid absorbent pad may pre-impregnated with a cleaning material. In one embodiment of this invention, the cleaning head is substantially disk shaped having a thickness from about ¼ to about 1 inch and a diameter from about 12 to about 30 inches. Typically, the combined weight of the cleaning head, wiping member, and the cover member is less than about 3 pounds.

Three, the cleaning device of this invention may include a two-component connector that detachably connects the cleaning head and the wiping member. Such a two-component connector may have one component attached to the underside of the cleaning head and another component attached to the topside of the wiping member. One of these components may include a loop element and the other component may include a fabric element. The wiping member may also include support member. In one embodiment, the wiping member comprises a multi-ply cloth absorbent material connected to the support member. In another embodiment, the wiping member includes a foam member positioned between the support member and the multi-ply cloth absorbent material.

Four, the cleaning head may include an elongated handle or may not have a handle and be simply manipulated by hand. When a handle is used, it typically includes at least one elongated linear member having a first end connected at or near a central point of the topside cleaning head and second free end enabling a user to grasp the free end and to manipulate the cleaning head. The first end of the handle may be pivotally connected to the cleaning head. For example, a universal joint may pivotally connect the handle to the cleaning head, or a ball and socket may pivotally connect the handle to the cleaning head, or a T-joint may pivotally connect the handle to the cleaning head. When a universal joint or ball and socket are used, the first end of the handle is pivotally and rotatably connected to the cleaning head. The handle may comprise at least two telescopically connect members enabling the length of the handle to be manually adjusted. When the cleaning head does not use a handle, it may include a hand-retaining member attached to the topside of the cleaning head. This hand-retaining member may include an adjustable strap and this strap may include a self-locking component. For example, the self-locking component may comprise a hook component at one end of the strap and a fabric component at the other end of the strap.

These features are not listed in any rank order nor is this list intended to be exhaustive.

This invention also includes a method of advertising at an entertainment event at least in part employing a substantially planar surface where at least a portion of the event is conducted. The planar surface may have nearby seats at least in part occupied by one or more spectators and the event may be televised. From time to time the planar surface is cleaned to remove liquid there from. In accordance with the method of this invention, periodically the planar surface the liquid is wiped with a device that has an exterior displaying a visual advertisement. When the event is televised, as the planar surface is being wiped, a television camera captures an electronic image of the device, including the advertisement, and displays an electronic image of this advertisement on a TV screen. When the planar surface is nearby spectator seats for the event, the seats are positioned to enable a spectator in one of the seats to view the planar surface and observe the advertisement displayed on the device as the planar surface is being wiped. The advertisement is sufficiently large for a spectator to view from his or her seat. In one embodiment of this method, a removable cover member on the device bearing the advertisement is from time to time replaced with a different advertisement. The advertisement may for a team participating in a sporting event such as discussed above. Or, the advertisement may for a sponsor of a sporting event.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of this invention, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. These embodiments depict the novel and non-obvious device and method of this invention as shown in the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only. These drawings includes the following FIGS. (FIGS. ), with like numerals indicating like parts:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the cleaning device of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the cleaning device of this invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the cleaning device of this invention using a removable cover member.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the hand held cleaning device of this invention without a handle.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of the cleaning device of this invention shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a partially exploded perspective view, with a section broken away, of another embodiment of the cleaning device of this invention having an adjustable handle.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view, with a section broken away, of an embodiment of the cleaning device of this invention using a U-joint pivot member.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 10 showing an eccentric member in a locked position.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view similar to that shown in FIG. 12 showing the eccentric member in an unlocked position.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a basketball court illustrating the use of the cleaning device of this invention to wipe up liquid from the floor of the court.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THIS INVENTION

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of this invention, the hand held cleaning device 10. This device 10 includes a rigid, disk shaped cleaning head 12, a detachable disk shaped absorbent wiping pad 14 having substantially the same diameter as the head 12, and an elongated, lengthwise adjustable handle 16. A pivot member 11 connects the handle's distal end 16 a to the center of the topside 12 a of the head 12. The cleaning head 12 typically has a thickness from about ¼ to about 1 inch and a diameter from about 12 to about 30 inches. The head 12, the handle 16, and other parts of the invention may be made of plastic, for example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or other lightweight rigid material. The handle may be a single rod that is not adjustable lengthwise, or as best shown in FIG. 10, comprises a pair of tubes 42 a and 42 telescopically connected so that the tube 42 a slides laterally within the tube 42 b. A conventional eccentric 70 at the end of the tube 42 a is offset mounted at x with respect to the center C1 axis this tube. The eccentric 70 has a rough circumferential edge 70 a for gripping the internal surface of the tube 42 b. When the tube 42 a is rotate in one direction the eccentric locks the tubes 42 a and 42 b in an immovable position as shown in FIG. 12. When rotated in the opposite direction, the tubes 42 a and 42 b are unlocked as shown in FIG. 13, allowing the tubes to be pulled apart to adjust the length of the handle 16.

The wiping pad 14 may comprises one or more layers of material such as, for example, cloth 34 that absorbs water, sweat, and/or other liquids, and to which dirt tends to cling. This cloth 34 may be impregnated with a cleanser or other chemicals that are commonly employed to clean and maintain planar surfaces S (FIG. 14) of stages or other floors upon which entertainment events are conducted. As depicted in FIG. 5, the pad 14, in addition to the cloth 34, may comprise a foam layer 36 disposed between a rigid, disk shaped support member 32 made of light weight plastic. The cloth 34 is sewn, or otherwise fixedly attached, to the foam layer 36. The foam layer 36 may be glued, or otherwise fixedly attached, to the disk shaped support member 32.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the absorbent wiping pad 14 is connected to the underside surface 32 b (FIG. 3) of the head 12 by a conventional two-16 component connector 30, for example, hook and fabric connectors such as sold by the Velcro Corporation. Other types of two-component connectors may, however, be used. The outer surface 32 a of the support member 32 has the one component, hook members 30 a, of the two-component connector 30 fastened securely thereto. The other component 30 b of the two-component connector 30 is a fabric sheet F fastened securely to the inner surface 32 b of the head 12.

In hand held cleaning device 10, the pivot member 11 comprises a conventional ball and socket mechanism 22 that enables the head 12 to swivel. A custodian C (FIG. 14) swirls the head 12 as the cloth 34 bears against the surface S by grasping the handle's free proximal end 16 b and manipulating the handle in the different directions shown by the arrows a and b. The handle 16 pivots about the ball and socket mechanism 22 with respect to the head 12 both right and left (arrow a) and back and forth (arrow b). Another embodiment, the cleaning device 50 depicted in FIGS. 2 and 6, employs a conventional T-joint pivot member 24. Consequently, it is different from the cleaning device 10 in that the handle 16 only pivots about T-joint pivot member 24 with respect to the head 12 back and forth as indicated by the arrow c. Another embodiment, the cleaning device 100 depicted in FIGS. 10 and 11, employs a conventional Universal or U-joint pivot member 18. Like the cleaning device 10, the handle 16 in the device 50 pivots about the U-joint pivot member 18 with respect to the head 12 both right and left and back and forth.

Another embodiment, the hand held cleaning device 150 illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, does not use a handle. Instead an adjustable strap 28 aids the custodian C in holding and pressing the device 150 downward against the surface S and simultaneously manipulate it to wipe liquid or dirt from the surface S. At one end 28 a, the strap 28 is sewn, or otherwise fixedly attached, to the topside 12 a of the head 12. A metal ring 31 is also fixedly attached to the topside 12 a, enabling a free end 28 b of the strap 28 to pass through the ring and be loped back upon itself, so that this free end of the strap overlies the end 28 a. A conventional two-component connector like that discussed above provides a way to connect and disconnect the ends 28 a and 28 b to fit the size of the custodian's hand H, shown in dotted lines in FIG. 8. One component A is fix to the end 28 b and the other component B is fix to the end 28 b, with both components A and B on the same side of the strap 28 so that these components face each other when the strap is looped back upon itself as depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9.

In accordance with one feature of this invention, the topside 12 a of the head 12 bears a visual advertisement 40 such as, for example, NO SWEAT™ WIPE. The advertisement 40 may be for a team participating a sporting event conducted on the surface S, for example, basketball, volleyball, roller skate hockey, roller derby, badminton, boxing, wrestling, etc. The advertisement may be for any business. But a sponsor of the event being conducted on the surface S most advantageously displays an advertisement on the head 12. Such sponsors typically are purveyors of sporting equipment and clothing and tobacco and beverage companies.

In accordance with another feature of this invention, the advertisement 40 may be, as illustrated by another embodiment, the cleaning device 200 depicted in FIG. 7, displayed on a removable cover member 20 that overlies the topside 12 a of the head. Preferably, the removable cover member 20 is detachably connected by a two-component connector like that discussed above, with the cover being made of a fabric and the hook members 30 a fixed to the topside 12 a, The combined weight of the cleaning head 12, wiping member 14, and the cover member 20 is typically less than 3 pounds. The multiple cover members 20 with the different advertisement thereon enable the advertisement 40 from time to time to be change by simply replacing one cover member for another.

In accordance with still another feature of this invention, as illustrated in FIG. 14, an entertainment event is televised, and during the course of televising the event, the surface S is wiped. A TV camera 44 takes a picture of the custodian C wiping the surface S, focusing the camera 44 on the advertisement 40 and displaying an electronic image of this advertisement 40 on a TV screen 44 a, televising wiping the planar surface S including the advertisement displayed on the device. The electronic image of this advertisement 40 may be broadcasted over the air, by cable, or even by a global computer network. The surface S is nearby spectator seats 80 that are positioned to enable a spectator 48 in one of the seats to view the surface S and observe the advertisement 40 displayed on the device as the surface is being wiped. Thus, even if the event is not televised, this invention capitalizes on the potential advertisement opportunity inherent in commercialized entertainment events attended by a large number of spectators.

SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

The above presents a description of the best mode contemplated of carrying out the present invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use this invention. This invention is, however, susceptible to modifications and alternate constructions from that discussed above which are fully equivalent. Consequently, it is not the intention to limit this invention to the particular embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications and alternate constructions coming within the spirit and scope of the invention as generally expressed by the following claims, which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter of the invention: 

1. A handheld cleaning device comprising: a cleaning head having an underside and a topside bearing a visual advertisement, and an absorbent wiping member detachably connected to the underside of the cleaning head.
 2. The cleaning device recited in claim 1 where the wiping member covers substantially the entire underside of the cleaning head.
 3. The cleaning device recited in claim 1 where the advertisement is on a cover member that overlies the topside of the cleaning head.
 4. The cleaning device recited in claim 3 where the cover member covers substantially the entire topside of the cleaning head.
 5. The cleaning device recited in claim 3 where the combined weight of the cleaning head, wiping member, and the cover member is less than 3 pounds.
 6. The cleaning device recited in claim 1 where the cleaning head is substantially disk shaped having a thickness from ¼ to 1 inch and a diameter from 12 to 30 inches.
 7. The cleaning device recited in claim 1 where the cleaning head includes an elongated handle having a first end connected at or near a central point of the topside cleaning head and second free end enabling a user to grasp the free end and manipulate the cleaning head.
 8. The cleaning device recited in claim 7 where the first end of the handle is pivotally connected to the cleaning head.
 9. The cleaning device recited in claim 8 where a universal joint pivotally connects the handle to the cleaning head.
 10. The cleaning device recited in claim 8 where a ball and socket pivotally connects the handle to the cleaning head.
 11. The cleaning device recited in claim 8 where a T-joint pivotally connects the handle to the cleaning head.
 12. The cleaning device recited in claim 7 where the first end of the handle is pivotally and rotatably connected to the cleaning head.
 13. The cleaning device recited in claim 7 where the cleaning head includes a hand-retaining member attached to the topside of the cleaning head.
 14. The cleaning device recited in claim 13 where the hand-retaining member includes an adjustable strap.
 15. The cleaning device recited in claim 14 where the adjustable strap includes a self-locking component.
 16. The cleaning device recited in claim 15 where the self-locking component comprises a hook component at one end of the strap and a fabric component at the other end of the strap.
 17. The cleaning device recited in claim 1 including a two-component connector that detachably connects the cleaning head and the wiping member, said two-component connector having a first component attached to the underside of the cleaning head and a second component attached to a topside of the wiping member.
 18. The cleaning device recited in claim 17 where one component includes a loop element and the other component includes a fabric element.
 19. The handheld cleaning device as recited in claim 1 where the wiping member includes support member.
 20. The cleaning device recited in claim 19 where the wiping member comprises a multi-ply cloth absorbent material connected to the support member.
 21. The handheld cleaning device as recited in claim 20 where the wiping member includes a foam member positioned between the support member and the multi-ply cloth absorbent material.
 22. A handheld cleaning device comprising: a cleaning head having a underside and a topside, a handle including at least one elongated linear member pivotally attached to the topside of the cleaning head, an absorbent wiping member detachably connected to the underside of the cleaning head, and a detachable cover member overlying the topside of the cleaning head, said cover member bearing a visual advertisement on an outer side.
 23. The cleaning device recited in claim 22 where the wiping member covers substantially the entire underside of the cleaning head and the cover member covers substantially the entire topside of the cleaning head.
 24. The cleaning device recited in claim 22 where the visual advertisement is for a team participating a sporting event.
 25. The cleaning device recited in claim 24 where the sporting event is selected from the group consisting of basketball, volleyball, roller skate hockey, a roller derby, badminton, boxing, and wrestling.
 26. The cleaning device recited in claim 22 where the visual advertisement is for a sponsor of a sporting event.
 27. The cleaning device recited in claim 22 where the cleaning head is substantially disk shaped having a thickness from ¼ to 1 inch and a diameter from 12 to 30 inches, said cleaning head including an elongated adjustable handle having a first end pivotally connected at or near a central point of the topside cleaning head and second free end enabling a user to grasp the free end and manipulate the cleaning head.
 28. The cleaning device recited in claim 27 where a universal joint pivotally connects the handle to the cleaning head.
 29. The cleaning device recited in claim 28 where a ball and socket pivotally connects the handle to the cleaning head.
 30. The cleaning device recited in claim 27 where a T-joint pivotally connects the handle to the cleaning head.
 31. The cleaning device recited in claim 7 where the first end of the handle is pivotally and rotatably connected to the cleaning head.
 32. The cleaning device recited in claim 22 including a two-component connector that detachably connects the cleaning head and the wiping member, said two-component connector having a first component attached to the underside of the cleaning head and a second component attached to a topside of the wiping member.
 33. The cleaning device recited in claim 22 including a two-component connector that detachably connects the cleaning head and the cover member, said two-component connector having a first component attached to the topside of the cleaning head and a second component attached to an inner side of the cover member.
 34. A cleaning device comprising a cleaning head with a predetermined shape, an underside and a topside bearing a visual advertisement, said underside and topside each having a substantially planar surface, a liquid absorbent pad detachably connected to the underside planar surface, said pad having substantially the same predetermined shape as said cleaning head to cover substantially the entire the underside planar surface, and a handle attached by a pivot element to the topside of the disk shaped member.
 35. The cleaning device recited in claim 34 where the liquid absorbent pad is pre-impregnated with a cleaning material.
 36. The cleaning device recited in claim 34 where the handle comprises at least two telescopically connect members enabling the length of the handle to be manually adjusted.
 37. A method of advertising at an entertainment event at least in part employing a substantially planar surface where at least a portion of the event is conducted, said planar surface being from time to time cleaned to remove liquid there from, said method of advertising comprising the steps of (a) televising the event, (b) from time to time wiping the planar surface to remove liquid there from with a device that has an exterior displaying a visual advertisement, and (c) as the planar surface is being wiped, televising wiping the planar surface including the advertisement displayed on the device.
 38. The method recited in claim 37 where the planar surface is nearby spectator seats for the event, said seats positioned to enable a spectator in one of said seats to view the planar surface and observe the advertisement displayed on the device as the planar surface is being wiped.
 39. The method recited in claim 37 where the advertisement is displayed on a member of the device that is mounted for removal from the device.
 40. The method recited in claim 37 where the advertisement is from time to time replaced with a different advertisement.
 41. The method recited in claim 37 where the advertisement is for a team participating a sporting event.
 42. The method recited in claim 41 where the sporting event is selected from the group consisting of basketball, volleyball, roller skate hockey, a roller derby, badminton, boxing, and wrestling.
 43. The method recited in claim 37 where the advertisement is for a sponsor of a sporting event.
 44. A method of advertising at an entertainment event at least in part employing a substantially planar surface where at least a portion of the event is conducted, said planar surface having nearby seats at least in part occupied by one or more spectators, said method of advertising comprising the step of from time to time cleaning the surface to remove liquid there from with a device that has an exterior displaying a visual advertisement, said cleaning device being observed by at least one spectator, said advertisement being sufficiently large for said spectator to view.
 45. The method recited in claim 44 where the advertisement is for a team participating a sporting event.
 46. The method recited in claim 45 where the sporting event is selected from the group consisting of basketball, volleyball, roller skate hockey, a roller derby, badminton, boxing, and wrestling.
 47. The method recited in claim 44 where the advertisement is for a sponsor of a sporting event.
 48. The method recited in claim 44 including televising wiping the planar surface including the advertisement displayed on the device. 